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Sally Pezaro PhD Researcher at Coventry University ||  || This presentation will discuss a PhD project aiming to explore the value of online interventions in supporting midwives in work-related psychological distress.
 * [[image:Sally Pezaro 2015.jpg width="252" height="252"]]

Much emphasis is placed upon providing support for patients who are part of traumatic incidents, yet limited attention has been paid to the ‘second victim’, i.e. the midwives involved, who may also experience mental and emotional distress (Wu, 2000). The prevalence of these second victims has been seen to rise up to 43.3% as practitioner’s soldier on, often in silence (Wolf et al, 2000). Those affected can develop symptoms as severe as those in post-traumatic stress disorder (Rassin et al, 2005).

This presentation will educate its audience upon the psychiatric and physical morbidities associated with traumatic midwifery work, the epidemiology and aetiology of ‘the second victim’ and the consequences of this underreported issue for midwifery practise. It will also offer solutions for supporting midwives in distress. ||